By GETHIN HICKS, TRAINEE REPORTER
Published: | Updated:
Arsenal have been dealt an injury boost with captain Martin Odegaard included in Norway’s squad ahead of the upcoming international break.
The Gunners No 8 was forced off during the first half of his side’s 5-0 thumping of Leeds United at The Emirates on Saturday with what appeared to be a shoulder injury.
His withdrawal no-doubt came as a huge blow to manager Mikel Arteta, who lost Kai Havertz to injury the week before and talesman Bukayo Saka later in the Leeds fixture.
But it seems the Norwegian’s injury isn’t as serious as Arsenal fans would have feared, with the 26-year-old included in his country’s squad to take on Finland and Moldova in the first week of September.
It remains to be seen whether Odegaard will recover in time for the Gunners’ top of the table clash with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday however.
While the extent of Saka’s knock is yet to be clarified, Havertz is expected to be side-lined for an extended period with the knee injury he suffered at Old Trafford on the opening weekend of the league season.
Arsenal have been dealt a huge injury boost with captain Martin Odegaard included in Norway’s squad for next month’s international break
The Gunners skipper was forced off during their clash with Leeds United with a shoulder injury
Odegaard will travel with his country to face Finland in a friendly and Moldova in a World Cup Qualifier early next month
He’s been left out of his country’s squad for next month’s international break, with the German FA’s team director Rudi Voller making the worrying admission that the former Chelsea man may require surgery.
‘He certainly won’t make it, he has a knee injury,’ Voller said.
‘We don’t know how it will go in the coming weeks, whether surgery is upcoming or it will be treated conservatively.’
Arsenal will nevertheless likely be able to field new signing Eberechi Eze for his debut at Anfield this weekend after the Englishman completed a £67.5million move from Crystal Palace last week.
Eze had looked set for a move to their north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, but had his head swayed at the last minute after learning of Mikel Arteta’s desire to bring him to The Emirates.
He was unveiled before the Leeds game to much fanfare, with Gunners supporters undoubtedly hoping to see their new No 10 lining up at Anfield this weekend in what already seems like a huge game just three weeks into the season.
Arsenal find themselves at the top of the Premier League table on goal difference, in front of Spurs in second and the Reds in third, thanks to 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha’s last minute winner at St James’ Park on Monday.
Arne Slot’s side will be without new recruit Jeremie Frimpong for the Arsenal game after he was forced off on the opening day of the season. Liverpool however welcomed back Conor Bradley on Monday after he missed the first two games of the season.
Gabriel Jesus remains side-lined for Arsenal with a long-term injury but new signing Christian Norgaard could make his debut this weekend after missing the start of the season.
